Punjab Government to Celebrate Diwali with Hindu Community: Ramesh Singh Arora

LAHORE (Nazrana Times): Pakistan’s Punjab government has announced Diwali celebrations across the province under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s leadership. The Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department is organising events to share the festival’s joy with the Hindu community and promote tolerance, brotherhood and interfaith harmony.

In a video message, Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora extended Diwali greetings to Hindus in Pakistan and around the world. He said the government would celebrate the occasion alongside the community with enthusiasm and respect.

Rahim Yar Khan Festival on November 4

Arora announced that a grand Diwali festival would be held in Rahim Yar Khan on November 4. He invited Hindu community members from Sindh, Balochistan and adjoining areas to participate.

A separate Diwali ceremony will take place in Lahore on November 6, he said.

Commitment to Minority Rights and Religious Freedom

The minister said the Punjab government was committed to sharing Diwali celebrations with the Hindu community and protecting the rights of all minorities.

Referring to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s description of minorities as the crown jewel of her head, he said practical measures were being taken to safeguard minority communities’ rights, religious freedom and dignity.

Arora said initiatives undertaken over the past two and a half years reflected this commitment. He added that these measures aimed to create a safe, peaceful and inclusive environment for minority communities throughout Punjab.

Diwali Carries a Message of Peace and Hope

Describing Diwali as a festival of happiness, love and lights, Arora said it conveyed a message of peace and hope. Through these celebrations, he added, Pakistan was sharing a message of friendship and brotherhood with the world.

He said Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens and that Hindus, like other minority communities, are an important part of the country. Every citizen, he stressed, deserves equal respect, dignity and opportunities regardless of religious affiliation.

Strengthening Understanding Between Communities

The minister said Diwali celebrations offered an opportunity to highlight religious freedom and interfaith harmony internationally. Such events, he added, could strengthen mutual understanding, tolerance and respect among people of different faiths.

Arora described Pakistan’s soil as a symbol of peace, love and brotherhood. He reaffirmed that the Punjab government would celebrate Diwali with the Hindu community and continue working to promote unity, religious harmony and mutual respect across the province.